U.S. patent number 4,376,596 [Application Number 06/142,177] was granted by the patent office on 1983-03-15 for portable roadway.
Invention is credited to M. L. Green.
United States Patent |
4,376,596 |
Green |
March 15, 1983 |
Portable roadway
Abstract
A plurality of sections of portable roadway are removably
interconnected for use during periods of adverse weather conditions
during which soil conditions are such that it is impossible to
build a permanent road, or when the economics are such that a
temporary road is advantageous. Each section consists of a hardwood
frame which is connected to and supports a plywood surface. At the
front and rear of each section, a transverse stiffening bar extends
through and laterally to the side of the section. Connecting
members are attached between the free ends of these stiffening
bars. In the center of each section, a lifting bar is disposed to
aid in removal and placement of the sections in an expeditious
manner.
Inventors: |
Green; M. L. (Magnolia,
AR) |
Family
ID: |
22498852 |
Appl.
No.: |
06/142,177 |
Filed: |
April 16, 1980 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
404/35; 283/3;
404/40 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E01C
9/086 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
E01C
9/00 (20060101); E01C 9/08 (20060101); E01C
005/16 () |
Field of
Search: |
;404/35,34,70,40,45,17,46 ;238/3,14 ;52/125,227,582,602 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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217818 |
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Dec 1956 |
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AU |
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1153048 |
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Sep 1957 |
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DE |
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Primary Examiner: Byers, Jr.; Nile C.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Jacobson; Harvey B.
Claims
What is claimed as new is as follows:
1. A portable roadway for facilitating vehicular traffic comprising
a plurality of sections, each section including:
a framework having longitudinal, parallel side members and a pair
of transverse forward and rear members connected to said side
members;
a top panel connected to and overlying said framework in flush
peripheral relation;
a forward stiffening bar extending transversely between said side
members and disposed adjacent and parallel to said forward frame
member;
a rear stiffening bar extending transversely between said side
members and disposed parallel and adjacent to said rear frame
member, said forward and rear stiffening bars having free ends
extending laterally of said framework;
a metal strap pivotally connecting the free ends of the forward and
rear stiffening bars of adjacent sections, said laterally extending
free ends of the stiffening bars being threaded and having nuts
attached thereto disposed against said frame members to apply
inward forces to the side frame members, each metal strap including
an aperture adjacent one end for pivotal mounting on the free end
of one stiffening bar and a downwardly opening notch adjacent the
other end for detachable engagement with the free end of a
stiffening bar on an adjacent section; and
a lifting bar located intermediate said forward and rear stiffening
bars and extending transversely between said side members.
2. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said lifting bar has
recurved ends extending laterally outward of said side members.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to vehicle supporting surfaces and
especially to such surfaces which are adapted to form a temporary
road.
2. Discussion of Related Art
Various types of portable roadways and other devices to aid in
giving traction to vehicles in soft or muddy road conditions have
been suggested in the past. For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 1,289,880,
issued Dec. 31, 1918 to Newman, shows a device constructed of a
number of transverse blanks forming the top thereof and
longitudinal boards forming the bottom thereof. Each device
includes one or more handles to facilitate carrying thereof. U.S.
Pat. No. 1,664,592, issued Apr. 3, 1928 to Cooley, shows a vehicle
support surface which includes parallel longitudinal support
members interconnected by a plurality of cross members. Each of the
longitudinal members is formed in a trough shape for supporting
vehicle wheels. U.S. Pat. No. 2,248,537, issued July 8, 1941 to
Libbey, shows an anti-skid device having a plurality of pivotally
interconnected sections. Each section has a pair of longitudinal
frame members interconnected by transverse traction increasing
chains.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
One object of the present invention is to provide a portable
roadway formed from sections which can be easily transported to and
from a designated area, set up and interconnected for use as a
support surface for motor vehicles.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a portable
roadway which is relatively simple in construction yet rugged and
durable in use. present invention comprises a plurality of
individual roadway sections which can be formed in any desired
shape or length to allow for the varying topography and the ground
conditions existing in the use area. Each section includes a pair
of lateral frame members interconnected at their forward and rear
ends by transverse frame members. A substantially planar surface
composed of plywood is attached to the top of the frame. A forward
stiffening bar extends transversely of each section adjacent the
forward frame member and a rear stiffening bar extends transversely
of each section adjacent the rear frame member. Each stiffening bar
has free ends which extend laterally of the section. The free ends
of the forward stiffening bar pivotally mount a pair of latch
members while the free ends of the rear stiffening bar serve as an
engagement point for the latches of adjacent sections. In the
center of each section, a lifting bar is disposed which extends
across the section and has U-shaped ends extending laterally of the
section.
These together with other objects and advantages which will become
subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and
operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed,
reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part
hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portable roadway formed in
accordance with the invention.
FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the roadway of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one rectangular portable roadway
section.
FIG. 4 is a transverse elevational sectional view taken
substantially along a plane passing through section line 4--4 of
FIG. 2.
FIG. 5 is a longitudinal elevational sectional view taken
substantially along a plane passing through section line 5--5 of
FIG. 2.
FIG. 6 is a fragmental view showing the interconnection of two
adjacent sections.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Now with reference to the drawings, a portable roadway
incorporating the principles and concepts of the present invention
and generally referred to by the reference numeral 10 will be
described in detail. It can be seen that the roadway 10 is formed
from a plurality of individual roadway sections 12 which are formed
in shapes and lengths to accommodate the surface 14 upon which the
portable roadway is laid. Each section 12 is substantially equal in
width with the length and angular orientation of the leading and
trailing edge of each section being modified in order to suit the
terrain. It will be further understood that adjacent sections 12
have complementary leading and trailing edges in order to form a
continuous roadway.
With specific reference to FIGS. 3-5, a rectangular section 12 will
be described in detail. It will be noted that the section 12
comprises a pair of longitudinal frame members 16 and 18 which are
substantially parallel and constructed of hardwood lumber. A
forward transverse frame member 20 and a rear frame member 22
interconnect the side frame members and are also constructed of
hardwood. Any suitable means for connecting the four frame members
together such as screws, nails, gluing or the like may be used as
desired. A surface 24 comprising a substantially planar sheet of
plywood is connected to the top of the four frame members by any
suitable means such as through the use of nails, screws or the
like. A forward stiffening bar 26 comprising a 3/4-inch rod extends
transversely of the section 12 through frame members 16 and 18 and
has threaded free ends which extend laterally of the frame members.
A washer 28 and nut 30 are attached to those free ends and lend
support to the frame by forcing the side frame members 16 and 18
together. In like manner, a rear stiffening bar 32 extends
transversely through the side frame members and also is held in
place through washers 28 and nuts 30. Accordingly, it can be seen
that the compressional forces applied to the side frame members aid
in holding the frame together and provide rigidity thereto. Each
stiffening bar is positioned parallel to the adjacent transverse
frame member at a distance of approximately one foot measured
perpendicularly between the stiffening bar and transverse frame
member. Accordingly, a distance of approximately 2 feet exists
between the rear stiffening bar and the forward stiffening bar of
adjacent sections 12, as seen in reference to FIG. 6. A connecting
link 40, which has a length greater than two feet extends between
the forward and rear stiffening rods of adjacent sections 12 and is
pivotally attached to the forward stiffening rod through an
aperture formed in the link at 42. The link can be slipped on the
forward stiffening rod and held in place by the use of a nut or the
like, if desired. The opposite end of the connecting link has a
notch 44 formed therein which fits over the free end of rear
stiffening rod 32. In this manner, it can be seen that the adjacent
sections 12 can be placed together in longitudinally aligned
fashion with connecting links 40 being used to maintain the
sections in alignment.
Each section 12 also includes a lifting bar 50 which extends
transversely of the section and has U-shaped ends 52 which extend
laterally thereof to facilitate handling of the section. Each
lifting bar 50 is formed from a 3/4-inch steel rod bent into a
continuous loop having U-shaped ends 52 extending to the side. The
lifting bar can be connected to the section 12 by any suitable
means such as forming two U-shaped members, inserting them into
preformed apertures in the respective sides 16 and 18 and welding
the free ends together in the center of the section.
Accordingly, it is apparent that a portable roadway has been
disclosed which can be used by oil companies, drilling companies,
logging operators and the like to erect a traversable surface in
inhospitable areas where vehicular movement would otherwise be
impaired. Each section 12 should preferably be 10 feet in width and
be a maximum of approximately 16 feet in length. The sections are
formed with varying angularity in leading and trailing edges in
order to allow the roadway to extend around curves, etc.
The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles
of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes
will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired
to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation
shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications
and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the
invention.
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